Ebrahim leads Zimbabwe to convincing win

Dion Ebrahim led Zimbabwe to only their second win of the tour with an assured 81 not out as they made up for Friday's embarrassing loss with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Ireland at Woodvale Road in Eglinton.

It was a better display all round from Zimbabwe, who were boosted by the return of Heath Streak. He made an immediate impact with the ball as Ireland found the going much harder than in the last game at Belfast. In the end they made 196, but it could have been worse after they were reduced to 75 for 6 at one stage.

The pitch was a belter for batting on, as captain Jason Molins, the Ireland captain, appreciated when he chose to bat first. However, he wasted his opportunity at the top of the order when he mistimed a pull to be caught at mid-on off Streak without a run on the board.

And with an in-form Andy Blignaut at the other end, it was a different ball game altogether for Ireland. Their top-order contributed to their own destruction, and they were soon facing disaster at 36 for 5 in the 10th over.

But Peter Gillespie settled in and with help from Dominic Joyce, brother of Middlesex's Ed, the pair scored an invaluable partnership before Joyce drove a catch to mid-off off Douglas Hondo (75 for 6).

Gillespie then finally fell for a brave 56, caught by Ebrahim, substituting as wicketkeeper for Tatenda Taibu, who hurt his hand off Hondo's bowling (185 for 9). There was the occasional big hit from the lower-order, but the Zimbabwe finally wrapped up the innings in the penultimate over.

Streak was again the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 29 while Gary Brent (0 for 15) looked in better form than he was in Belfast. But Hondo who took 3 for 53, was again erratic.

Chasing Ireland's modest target, Ebrahim and Douglas Marillier began the chase with a useful opening stand of 52 in 13 overs, with Paul Mooney this time unable to trouble the batsmen with the new ball.

Marillier made a brisk 24, and Stuart Carlisle, who usually likes to dig in deep and start slowly, this time went for his strokes in handsome style right from the start. Ebrahim responded, and Zimbabwe were soon rattling along to their target with ease.

Carlisle fell one short of his half-century when he was caught and bowled by Mooney (134 for 2), and then Grant Flower made some welcome runs with 31 not out as Zimbabwe won with ten overs to spare - a much-needed win ahead of the NatWest Challenge.